Wednesday 31 July 2013 13.41 EDT
First published on Wednesday 31 July 2013 13.41 EDT

It was easy for racing's many cynics to scoff when, for the second time in three years, the Sussex Stakes was marketed as "The Duel on the Downs" but Wednesday's race absolutely justified that billing as Toronado gunned down Dawn Approach in thrilling revenge for two previous defeats. This, the feature contest of Glorious Goodwood week, was also a significant success for racing's emergent Qatari interests over their more established rivals from Dubai.

Most obviously, it was a fine moment for two men who have had the keys to this place in recent years, Richard Hannon and Richard Hughes, perhaps even the most satisfying that either have enjoyed. Hannon, who is now expected to end his 43-year training career at the end of this season, was moved to tears in the winner's enclosure, though it would have to be admitted that he has been similarly emotional after quite a few major races in the past five years.

"It catches you a little bit," he said, composing himself. For all those connected with his stable, their faith in Toronado meant this race took on enormous importance after his disappointing display when beaten seven lengths in the Guineas and then his unlucky defeat at Royal Ascot, both races won by Dawn Approach.

But the bitterness of those memories will have been washed away in one cathartic rush as Toronado battled past his chestnut rival in the final 100 yards. Given the shortage of excuses for the runner-up, it is now hard to see why the winner should not be regarded as the better animal.

"In the Guineas, I thought it was going to be a two-horse race," Hannon recalled, "and it was like he hit a brick wall." A palate problem was diagnosed; it had slipped over his windpipe, the trainer says, cutting off the colt's supply of air.

A spoon bit is now used to keep tongue and palate in place, allowing Toronado to show his true quality at Royal Ascot but there was still frustration, as he was bumped in making his challenge. Dawn Approach was also hampered that day but the Hannon camp felt their colt suffered more, arguing he was "knocked out of the picture" about two strides after he had begun to quicken.

"I know it was looking a little bit difficult about two out," Hannon said of Wednesday's race, "but he's a horse with a hell of a turn of foot. Hughesie rode him work about four or five days ago and said he's the best that he's ever ridden. So I was happy to listen to that. He said he was even better than Canford Cliffs."

Hughes used Twitter to show the strength of his feeling for the horse when, hours before this race, he responded to a Timeform employee who offered odds about which excuse would be used when Toronado was beaten. "Idiot," the jockey replied. In the aftermath of victory, he said: "On things like Twitter, you can get slagged off but I love my horses. I hate it when people slag them off and Lizzie [Hughes's wife] knows how much I think of this horse. We were so gutted at Ascot that he didn't get up. I thought his reputation would be ruined if he didn't win today, so there was a lot riding on it."

Something else was riding on it: the identity of Toronado's future rider. The colt's owner, Sheikh Joaan, recently retained Frankie Dettori to ride all his horses except this one, at which time one of his associates suggested Hughes's tenure depended on continued success. "I read in the paper that I'd keep the ride if I win the race," Hughes said.

It seems there is no further doubt on the subject. "It doesn't make sense to put the successful person off a horse like that," said the Sheikh's media director, Nasser Sharida al-Kaabi. He added that Hannon would be allowed to decide whether Toronado raced on next year.

Such a colt might never retire if the trainer is always allowed to decide such things but Hannon, 68, expects to call time on his own career at the end of this year, handing the licence on to his son. He is not quite ready to say so unequivocally, adding: "We'll see. It's not definite. I'm earning too much money, aren't I?"

Hannon mentioned the Jacques le Marois at Deauville a week on Sunday as the next possible outing for Toronado, though he also said there was "no rush". The French race could come too soon for any horse that took part here, though it also figures on the target list for Dawn Approach.

"It was a great race," said Jim Bolger, who trains the runner-up for Sheikh Mohammed. "Everything went well for us until a furlong down and we got passed by a better horse on the day." He was prepared to consider the ground as a factor in the outcome but insisted he was not looking for excuses.

The third-placed Declaration Of War appeared beaten on merit, lagging two and a half lengths behind the principals. The horse had won a Royal Ascot Group One at this distance but his trainer, Aidan O'Brien, now feels he may be better at shorter. "He has a lot of speed, this horse," he said. "A race like the Haydock Sprint Cup would be a definite possibility."